Five Important Things to Research Before Moving

You’re packing up and starting fresh. Yes, it’s exciting, but before move day arrives, you’ve got a bit of homework to do. While choosing your new city may be a done deal, there are also many daily practicalities you need to familiarize yourself with. From budgeting to buying clothing, let’s explore five things you need to research to make your transition as smooth as possible.  

The Housing Market 

First things first: If you haven’t yet decided upon a specific address, understanding the housing market is crucial. If you’ll be renting, check into average rent prices for the type of place you want. Some landlords or rental agencies might also require a broker fee, a security deposit or have specific application requirements. 

If you’re buying, research home prices, property taxes and the overall real estate trends in the area. Think about what’s important to you — location, space, amenities — and factor them into your research. The sooner you get this process started, the sooner you’ll be settling in. 

The Cost of Living 

When it comes to affordability, rent or a mortgage is just one factor in the much bigger picture. You’ll also have to consider expenses for things like groceries, utilities, transportation and recreational activities. Remember, a higher salary doesn’t always mean more money in your pocket, especially if your cost of living skyrockets. 

Start by comparing the cost of living in your current city to your new one. Check out expenses category by category so you can see where you might need to tighten your belt or where you might have some extra cash to splurge. You may find that even a lower salary will go further in your new hometown — and that a pay cut might not hurt as much if you’re moving somewhere more affordable.  

Your Career Prospects 

Unless you’re retired or moving for a position with your current employer, you’ll need to consider the job market in your new city. That said, even if you’re moving with a job in hand, it’s smart to understand the overall employment landscape as well as your new city’s unemployment rate. Start by researching the area’s major industries and employers. Also, research local businesses that hire for positions like yours and see if they offer potential opportunities for growth. Websites like Indeed or Glassdoor are excellent resources for checking things like job availability, corporate culture and leadership, and salary ranges.  

If possible, reach out to people in your industry who live in your new city. They can give you plenty of useful information specific to your city — and possibly even a few leads. LinkedIn is a great place to start. 

Getting Around 

Traffic and transportation options in your new city can have an enormous impact on your quality of life. Is public transportation reliable and extensive? Will you need a car? What about bike lanes if you’re the cycling type? 

Research the different transportation options available and their costs. If you’ll be driving most of the time, look into parking availability — and any costs involved. If you’ll be using public transportation, start by getting familiar with monthly pass prices and routes. If you’ll be working onsite or in a hybrid situation, be sure to factor in commute times. Use tools like Google Maps to estimate travel times during rush hour to get a realistic picture. 

The Climate 

You might think weather is just something you need to deal with, but it also needs to be planned for — especially if you’re headed to a part of the country with a significantly different weather pattern. Moving from a warm climate to a place with harsh winters? You’ll need to start putting together a four-season wardrobe that includes new outerwear, sweaters and shoes. If the reverse is true, you’ll want to shed most of your heavier clothing and cold weather accessories and keep just a few core items in case you’ll be heading back to your former digs for a visit. You should also think about natural occurrences such as tornadoes or hurricanes which may be more (or less) common in the place where you’re headed and how this may impact expenses for things such as insurance or home maintenance.  

With some planning and an open mind, you’ll be settling into your new home in no time. Remember to do your research, get your finances in order, and embrace the adventure of it all. Who knows what amazing people you’ll meet and what memories you’ll make in your new stomping grounds?  

Is a Cross-Country Move in the Works?     

Why not let a professional moving company, United Van Lines, take care of the heavy lifting? United’s full-service moving packages provide flexibility to mix and match the services you want and need, from packing and unpacking to standard furniture placement.        

Get a cross-country moving quote from United Van Lines today.        

Want to get ahead of planning your move? Check out our week-by-week moving checklists and packing tips. If you prefer access to these pro-tips on-the-go, our exclusive House Key magazine is for you.   

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